The identification and analysis of non-fish vertebrate remains from
the Tillett site (31DR35) was undertaken at Birmingham-Southern College,
Birmingham, Alabama. The faunal remains for the two components of the site,
Colington and Mount Pleasant, were analyzed separately. The sample from
the Colington component consisted of 5,880 fragments of which 5,180 (88.1%)
were identifiable at least to class. The sample from the Mount Pleasant
component consisted of 808 fragments all of which were identifiable at
least to class.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The initial step in the faunal analysis was the taxonomic identification
of the remains. Specimens from the zoo-archaeological collection at Birmingham-Southern
College were available for comparative purposes. Specimens were identified
whenever possible to species; however, many bones were very fragmented
and identification was limited often to class. Following identification
to taxonomic level, the frag- ments were identified as to skeletal element,
e,g., right distal humerus. Any indicators of age and sex were noted.

Three methods were used to quantify species remains: determination
of the total number of identifiable fragments of each species; calculation
of minimum number of individuals; and calculation of bone weights. Calculation
of number of individuals of each species was based upon the minimum-number-of-individuals
(MNI) method first described by White (1953). This method involves counting
the most common skeletal element of each species. This number corresponds
to at least the minimum number of individuals represented in the sample.
Variations in age, sex, and size of the individuals were considered in
the determination.

Live weights of the non-fish species were determined using bone weights
of the archaeological remains. Linear regression formulae used in this
calculation were taken from Fradkin (1979). In the formulae, x = body weights
in kilograms and y = skeletal weight in kilograms.

Finally, a list of the various species identified and the environment
in which they are naturally found was made. Three methods were used to
determine the importance of the non-fish fauna exploited in the two major
ecological habitats. The first procedure consisted of a species checklist
indicating those animals identified. The second method involved calculation
of the maximum possible meat yields of these animals, and the third method
compared the caloric yields of these species.

Knowledge of the natural history of the various species and their
seasons of maximum abundance was used to make inferences concerning seasonality
of the components.

SPECIES REPRESENTED

In Table D1 are recorded the non-fish species identified in the two
components. A total of 15 genera or species of three classes of vertebrates
were identified including five species of mammals, four species of birds,
and six species of reptiles. Eight species: rabbit (Sylvilagussp.),
raccoon (Procyon lotor, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus),
wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), snapping turtle (Chelydra
serpentina), mud turtle (Kinosternonsp.), diamond-back
terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin, and sliders and scooters (Chrysemyssp.) were common to the two components.

Colington Component

From the Colington component of the Tillett site were examined 5,880
bone fragments of 14 species. Of these 5,180 (88.1%) were identifiable
at least to class. Mammalian remains accounted for 2,160 (50.4%) of the
identifiable bones, five (33.3%) of the species, and 15 (53.6%) of the
MNI. Table D2 lists the species, number of identifiable fragments, and
MNI represented in this component.

The white-tailed deer was the most intensively exploited mammal.
A minimum of six individuals (number estimate based on right (Page
110) calcanei present) represented by 1375 fragments were examined.
All major parts of the animal were represented in the faunal sample. At
least one animal was male as evidenced by a skull fragment with the antler
base intact. The antler had been shed.

Age estimates were possible on three animals. A left mandible with
PM2-PM3 present was aged on basis of tooth wear at 3 1/2
years. Degree of tooth wear as evidence of age was based on Sevringhaus
(1953). Two right calcanei were lacking epiphyses indicating animals less
than 35 months of age. Age determination on the basis of epiphyseal ossification
of selected long bones was based on studies by Lewall and Cowan (1963).

Five raccoons represented by 47 fragments were represented in the
faunal sample. Post-cranial remains accounted for 66.0% of the identified
fragments. MNI was based on number of right ulnae. All post-cranial remains
exhibited full ephiphyseal closure indicative of adult specimens. One dog
was represented by an isolated tooth, two metatarsals, and two phalanges.
One bear was represented by an atlas. Two rabbits represented by 10 fragments
were among the faunal remains. Six post-cranial elements exhibited complete
ossification indicative of animals greater than nine months of age. Age
of closure of (Page 111)

ossification centers of rabbits was based on studies by Hale (1949).
Two species of rabbits, the.eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
and the marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris), are common to the area
and determination of species was not attempted.

Avian remains consisted primarily of broken and unidentifiable long
bone shafts. Identifiable fragments included a left tibiofibula of Mergus
merganser, a right proximal humerus of Linosa sp. and 10 post-cranial
fragments of Meleagris gallopavo.

Reptiles were well represented in the faunal assemblage, accounting
for six of the identified species, 10 of the MNI and 2357 of the identified
bone fragments. Plastron and carapace fragments comprised over 70% of the
identifiable turtle remains and for this reason the MNI may be a significant
underestimate of the total number of animals actually represented in the
sample. Remains included carapace, plastron, and limb elements of three
fresh-water species; Kinosternon sp., Chelydra serpentine;
and Chrysemys sp.; one brackish water species, Malaclemys terrapin:
and one salt water species, Caretta caretta. (Page
112)

Turtles undergo a period of inactivity from December to February
and are most abundant from March-May. Their occurrence in the faunal assemblage
suggests spring occupation of the site, though summer and fall occupation
is possible.

The presence of five vertebrae of the water snake, Natrix sp.,
probably represents accidental deposition and not deliberate exploitation
of this species by the inhabitants of the site.

The 15 species of non-fish vertebrates represented in the faunal
assemblage of the Colington phase of the Tillett site would have provided
18.32 kg. of useable meat and 24,204.42 calories (Table D3;. Mammils provided
14.54 kg (79.4%) of the useable meat and 19,047.63 (78.7%) of the available
calories. Reptiles provided 2.93 kg (16.0%) of the useable meat and 3,244.52
(13.4%) of the available calories.

While six (40%) of the 15 identified species are inhabitants of the
terrestrial habitat, these animals provided 15.39 kg (84%) of the useable
meat and 20,954.64 (86.6%) of the available calories. Cursory examination
of these data would suggest intensive exploitation of the terrestrial habitat
and minimal utilization of the aquatic environment however, it must be
remembered that fish remains were not included in this analysis.

The identifiable species do not provide significant information on
seasonality of site occupation. All mammals identified can be found year-round
on the North Carolina coastal plain, as can the wild turkey. The American
merganser (Mergus merganser) and godwit (Limosa sp.) are
found in greatest abundance from October to March though numbers of both
species may be found throughout the year.

The presence of significant numbers of turtles in the faunal sample
suggests spring or summer occupation since these animals undergo a period
of reduced activity from December to February and would be more difficult
to locate or capture. (Page 113)

Hence while no firm estimate of seasonality may be deduced from the
data, there does exist slight evidence favoring a spring or summer occupation.

Mount Pleasant Component

808 bone fragments of nine species of non-fish vertebrates were examined.
Mammalian remains accounted for 299 (37.0%) of the bones, three of the
identified species, and three of the MNI (Table D4). Although fragments
of the white-tailed deer were the most numerous mammalian fragments, only
one individual could be definitely identified. Raccoon was represented
by six bone fragments. All were post-cranial remains and all exhibited
complete epiphyseal closure. Rabbit was represented by one post-cranial
fragment and it was completely ossified.

Avian remains were represented by six post-cranial fragments of the
wild turkey and one post-cranial element of Anas sp.

Turtle fragments, primarily plaston and carapace elements comprised
56.6% of the skeletal fragments, a minimum of four species, and four MNI.
The estimate of MNI is probably significantly low, since it was based on
skeletal element which comprised less than 20% of the reptilian remains.
(Page 114)

The nine species of non-fish vertebrates would have provided 2.42
kg of useable meat and 2929.41 calories (Table D5). Mammals provided 1.73
kg (71.5%) of the available non-fish meat and 1916.34 (65.4%) of the available
calories. Reptiles provided 4.76 kg (19.6%) of the available meat and 528.31
(18.0%) calories.

Four of the identified species occupy a terrestrial habitat and these
animals provided 1.94 kg (80.2%) of the meat and 2401.1 (82.0%) of the
available calories. Since fish were not included in these calculations,
these data do not accurately reflect the relative importance of the terrestrial
and aquatic habitats to the inhabitants of the site.

The identified species provide little evidence of seasonal occupation
of the site. The presence of turtles at the site may suggest spring or
summer occupation, though the small number of these animals makes such
a suggestion very tenuous. (Page 115)